Sonoma County, CA (October 13, 2016)—Bear Republic Brewing Company, an independent and family-owned brewery, has continued their streak and won a silver medal at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition, receiving their twenty-third medal overall. GABF recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States. Presented by the Brewers Association, the Great American Beer Festival is the largest beer competition in the world. The top three winners in each category were announced October 8, at the Great American Beer Festival Awards Ceremony held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

Up against 117 other entries in the Session India Pale Ale category, the team took home a silver medal for Pace Car Racer. Bear Republic was one of fifteen Northern California breweries to win a medal, and the sole medal winner in Sonoma County. Bear Republic is proud to continue to solidify the strength of the brewing industry in California’s Wine Country.

About the Beer:

Beer Description: Hoppy aromas of pine and citrus, with a smooth malt flavor that empties your glass at a speedy pace. Brewed with high flavor pale ale malt, light crystal malt, and a touch of rye for smooth and silky body, this hoppy and quaffable ale is perfect for a hot day at the track or a backyard barbecue. This Session IPA is the newest addition to the Racer family.

In its 30th year, the 2016 Great American Beer Festival competition awarded 286 medals to some of the best commercial breweries in the United States. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded to winning breweries in 96 beer categories covering 161 different beer styles, establishing the best examples of each style in the country. Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world and a symbol of brewing excellence. Winners were chosen from 7,227 competition entries from 1,752 breweries hailing from 50 states plus Washington, D.C.

The competition also saw its biggest-ever panel of judges, with 264 beer experts from 12 countries.

Founded in 1995, we are a family-owned brewery located in the heart of Sonoma County, California. Founded by third and fourth generation Sonoma County residents, we pride ourselves on heritage. Our love for quality craft beers grew us into the family-owned and team oriented business we are today. Our brewpub is located in historic Healdsburg, California, where cultivation, art, and creativity have thrived for centuries. The brewpub hopes to create an atmosphere that locals can call their own and makes visitors feel at home.